The 5 Communication Habits Holding You Back in Media Interviews

Media interviews can be a powerful way to increase visibility, position yourself as an expert, and connect with a wider audience.

But many business owners find themselves struggling to communicate clearly and confidently when the spotlight turns on. That powerful message fails to land - the one that has been honed by years of experience, the stories that could inspire and motivate others, the skills and expertise that could truly help your audience. Every time the camera goes live, or someone hits record, something stops you from spreading that message far and wide. Your palms start to sweat, your heart races and your mind might even go blank. 

In my twenty years at ITV and ITN, I saw it time and time again - people would suddenly freeze the moment the red light came on. They’d had a briefing, but by the time we hit record, the pressure to ‘perform’ had already taken hold.

From over-preparing to underplaying your expertise, these common behaviours can limit your ability to deliver your message with clarity, presence, and influence.

In this blog, we’ll explore five communication habits that may be holding you back in a media interview - and what to do instead to show up with greater confidence, clarity, and authority, when it really counts.

Habit #1 - Over-preparing 

The pattern: Writing out every word you want to say in a script, then trying to memorise it.

Why it holds you back: Your focus is on remembering the script, rather than the value you are bringing to the audience. It increases pressure to ‘get it right,’ and can cause you to freeze if you lose your place.

What to do instead: Know your overall objective of the interview and your 3-4 key messages ahead of time and have the belief and trust in yourself that you are the expert - you know your subject matter inside out. 

Habit #2 - Downplaying your Expertise

The pattern: Using language like “I think” or assuming people already know what you know.
Why it holds you back: It diminishes your authority and makes you sound unsure - even when you’re not.
What to do instead: Speak with conviction. Replace “I think” with “I believe” or “In my experience,” and own your knowledge.

Habit #3 - Rambling 

The pattern: You start answering a question and suddenly you’ve given a 2-minute monologue and gone off on a tangent.
Why it holds you back: Your key message has got lost amongst the noise and your audience has started to switch off.
What to do instead: Aim for clear and concise answers that get straight to the point, with one message per answer. Always end the interview with a call to action and a summary of your main message. 

Habit #4 - Perfectionism 

The pattern: The desire to be ‘perfect’ sets the bar high before you’ve even said a word.
Why it holds you back: The pressure to deliver a perfect interview will increase your nerves, meaning mind blanks are more likely.
What to do instead: Prepare beforehand, but understand that an interview is a two way natural conversation and that authenticity wins over perfection every time. 

Habit #5 - Making it all about you

The pattern: You forget the purpose of the interview is to address your audience’s needs, so that they feel inspired to take the next step. 
Why it holds you back: By focusing too much on yourself, you lose the chance to connect and build a relationship with the audience.
What to do instead: Speak to the audience - ask yourself ‘what do they need to hear?’ And use the word ‘you’ instead of ‘I’ throughout.

Media interviews are about connecting with your audience. When you recognise the patterns holding you back and make small shifts towards changing them, you can start to show up with more confidence and clarity. 

These moments are more than just interviews -  they’re powerful opportunities to be seen, heard, and recognised as the expert you are. And with the right mindset and prep, you’ll have the impact you know you’re capable of.

Need support preparing for your next media interview? 

You can find out more about my experience as a Senior Television Producer and why I now empower business owners to speak to scale and master media interviews: Sarah Collins Coaching - About Me

If you’d like tailored support to become a confident communicator in media interviews, you can find out more about my ‘Speak your Way to Success’ 1:1 programme here: Sarah Collins Coaching - Work with Me

Photo by Nevels Media onUnsplash